I never treated anyone differently. I met many people with AIDS and HIV, many that died, and my that still have HIV, I always treated them decently and never judged any one by their diagnosis.

Michael, mi compañero, tenía un amigo (lo llamaremos John) con VIH/SIDA cuando nos conocimos en 1993. Estoy tratando de pensar si lo traté de manera diferente y, sinceramente, no creo que lo haya hecho.

"John" en realidad falleció poco después de que Michael y yo nos mudáramos a Carolina del Norte en 1997. Era diciembre. Lo visitamos en el hospital unas semanas antes de su muerte y Michael me dejó sola con "John" por unos minutos. Le dije a "John" que lamentaba mucho que tuviera que pasar por esto. Su respuesta, nunca la olvidaré. Él dijo: "Aaron, me lo hice a mí mismo". Eso fue desgarrador para mí. No se lo hizo a sí mismo, pero en su mente lo hizo. Ni una sola vez lo corregí.

Le había pedido a Michael que pronunciara su panegírico y Michael estaba muy preocupado. Le dije a Michael que "John" no le habría pedido que lo hiciera a menos que él realmente quisiera que lo hiciera.

Michael fue el único orador en el funeral de "John". Era el día después de Navidad y sólo había un servicio junto a la tumba y un día escalofriante. "John" fue muy querido ya que había más de 200 personas en el servicio. Michael y yo tuvimos un viaje de más de 2 horas para llegar allí y recuerdo que salí del auto y escuché susurros de varios asistentes: "Ese debe ser Michael".
Nunca he tenido un momento de mayor orgullo que ver a Michael subir al podio en nombre de "John". Fue una de las experiencias más conmovedoras que jamás haya presenciado. Michael Nunca mencionó el VIH o el SIDA, pero habló de "John" y sus contribuciones durante su tiempo aquí. Humanizó la enfermedad que nos quitó a "John", pero Michael nunca le dio crédito. Fue muy conmovedor.

Sólo puedo esperar pasar antes que Michael para que él también pueda pronunciar Mi panegírico. 🙂

Lo siento, esta no es una respuesta a esta pregunta, pero la pregunta trajo muy buenos recuerdos de nuestro Amigo.

Michael, my partner, had a friend (we'll call him John) with HIV/AIDS when we met in 1993. I'm trying to think if I treated him any differently and I honestly don't think I did.

"John" actually passed shortly after Michael and I moved to NC in 1997. It was December. We visited him in the hospital a few weeks before he passed and Michael left me alone with "John" for a few minutes. I told "John" I was so sorry he was having to go through this. His response, I'll never forget. He said, "Aaron, I did it to myself." That was heartbreaking to me. He didn't do it to himself, but in his mind he had. I never once corrected him.

He had asked Michael to give his Eulogy and Michael was so apprehensive. I told Michael, "John" would not have asked him to do it unless he Really wanted him to.

Michael was the only speaker at "John's" Funeral. It was the Day after Christmas and only a grave side service and a bone chilling day. "John" was very loved as there were in excess of 200 people at the service. Michael and I had over a 2 hour drive to get there and I remember getting out of the car and hearing whispers of several attendees, "That must be Michael."
I have never had a prouder moment than watching Michael take the podium on "John's" behalf. It was one of the most moving experiences I've ever witnessed. Michael Never once mentioned HIV or AIDS but spoke of "John" and his contributions of his time here. It humanized the disease that took "John" away from us, but was never credited by Michael. It was very moving.

I can only hope to passed before Michael so he can, too, deliver My Eulogy. 🙂

Sorry, this is not an answer to this question, but the question brought up such fond memories of our Friend.

My attitude has changed a little. I am much more health conscious. I have always eaten well, but I try to limit my junk food consumption. We watched a friend pass in the late 80's early 90's.

I never thought it as something bad just took it like any other disease because my mum had it before she died with aids my sister too.Infact i use to respect anyone i had it and use to feel compassion especially when was in the orphanage and like 75% of the kids there had it.So until i get it and my brother too until he ignored the meds and died with aids.Hiv is how you take it accept it stay long ignore it and die soon.That is how it is all in all am so grateful that i can get the free meds and stay alive....HIV & ASIA

I didn't have any negative or positive thoughts about it, but I did know of someone who had HIV, and like some nieve people I thought that I would never contract the disease, so now I try to be there for my friends who have contracted it recently because I didn't have anyone personally to help me through it.